Need Help with In-Ceiling/In-Wall Setup in Spare Room Remodel

[lawspud]

Gentlemen,

We are remodeling a detached utility building into a spare bedroom. The space will be approximately 13 x 9 (x 10' ceiling). In my wife's eyes, the primary purpose of the room will be for use as a guest room and pool house. However, I've convinced her to let me wire it and set it up as a home theater, all the better for being detached from the main residence.

In the interest of aesthetics, I have agreed to use in-wall/in-ceiling speakers and sub. Unfortunately, our contractor placed a window pretty much where the right 7.1 surround would go. Even worse, my wife is considering using a murphy bed setup on the back wall, which would displace the 7.1 rear surrounds.

So it looks like my side and rear surrounds will be in-ceiling units. The front wall, however, will be perfect for the L/C/R and sub units, so I'm planning on using in-walls up front.

I can work out the speaker placement for the surrounds based on the other materials and posts in the forum, I think. But my question is this:

Will the mixture of in-wall and in-ceiling speakers destroy any chance of having a decent home theater? Will the surrounds be able to mesh with the front wall to deliver a coherent sonic image? I'd hate to set this all up just to have it sound like a muddy mess.

If it is hopeless, I may be able to nix the murphy bed and save the back wall. Then I'd just be left dealing with the side surrounds, but I'm sure there's a solution if the in-ceiling situation is dire.

 

[Johnd]

Will the mixture of in-wall and in-ceiling speakers destroy any chance of having a decent home theater?

No.

Will the surrounds be able to mesh with the front wall to deliver a coherent sonic image?

Yes. Proper selection and placement is key. So purchase some good speakers that you like, and leave enough slack at the wire end so you can position them ideally.

And welcome to the forum lawspud.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

5.1 would be plenty for a room that size. Talk her into letting you have a real sun though, it can second as an end table.

 

[jimfitz]

How are you going to heat and cool the room? How noisy will that be?

 

[lawspud]

Thanks for the input so far! I'm encouraged to hear that I'm not totally hosed.

While I agree that 5.1 should be adequate, I have a rare (for me) opportunity here. I can't help but think that the added expense of the rear surrounds will be minimal, and will allow me to bill it as a 7.1 surround theater/guestroom when we eventually sell the house.

My wife has authorized a regular sub, if only because of the cost savings

The room will be temp controlled by a wall unit. Because this building will contain only this room and a bathroom, I couldn't justify an exterior compressor/furnace. The good news is that the wall unit is quiet, and the house is in a very temperate environment.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Well some nice speakercraft inwalls upfront, in-ceilings for surround and a SVS sub should have you on your way then...

 

[AVRat]

I also believe that a 5.1 setup would be sufficient, especially if you use bi-polar surrounds.

$279/pr. - Niles MP6 In-Wall Speakers - http://www.4electronicwarehouse.com/products/niles/mp6.html
$225/pr. - Niles CM710FX In-Ceiling Speakers - http://www.4electronicwarehouse.com/products/niles/niles-cm710fx.html

 

[lawspud]

Well some nice speakercraft inwalls upfront, in-ceilings for surround and a SVS sub should have you on your way then...

Interesting, I had never heard of SpeakerCraft before your post, and yet they're based in the town where I work (Riverside, CA).

I had been looking at Polk Audio or Boston in-walls, simply because that's what I've been able to find on the interwebs. The SC stuff looks much nicer, though.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[AVRat]

SpeakerCraft also has a bi-polar design in-ceiling called the AIM Wide: http://www.speakercraft.com/#Products:410:AIM Wide One

 

[ParadigmDawg]

SC is some of the best in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. Niles is nice too.

Interesting, I had never heard of SpeakerCraft before your post, and yet they're based in the town where I work (Riverside, CA).

I had been looking at Polk Audio or Boston in-walls, simply because that's what I've been able to find on the interwebs. The SC stuff looks much nicer, though.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[mazersteven]

SC is some of the best in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. Niles is nice too.

Some of the best? They are the Best. Well maybe Triad is a little better.

 

[mazersteven]

The front wall, however, will be perfect for the L/C/R and sub units, so I'm planning on using in-walls up front.

Did someone say in-walls?


http://www.speakercraft.com/#Products:403:AIM Cinema Three

 

[lawspud]

Just wanted to say thanks again. I ended up going with the SpeakerCraft Cinema 3's for the L/R channels, and an LCR 3 for the center. The rears are still up in the air, but it looks like I'll be using the Speakercraft CRS8 3's. All for less than $1000 through the magic of ebay. You guys were great. I'll report back on the sound quality when the install is done.

 

[JessyMcK]

I also picked up Speakercraft off eBay. $380 for the cinema threes, $260 for AIM& Three for the in ceiling rears. I still need an LCR Three though. I won't have mine installed for months , but I couldn't pass up the deal.